Arrival

Independent arrival in Ouarzazate. A group transfer is included for arrivals by 4:00 PM. For later arrivals, we can arrange a taxi in advance (payable locally). Briefing at approximately 7:00 PM and overnight stay at the hotel.

Departure for the 5-hour drive to Erg Chebbi (Merzouga). During the journey, you will get your first impressions of the impressive desert landscape. The horses are already waiting for you at the lodge, and you will head straight into the saddle for an initial ride across the sand dunes. Overnight stay at the lodge.

In the morning, you leave the camp and cross the vast white clay plain. A long day in the saddle awaits you. After crossing the Gheris River, you enter a hilly landscape featuring small sand dunes, acacia trees, and mountains dusted with sand. At midday, you take a well-deserved break with a hearty picnic. Maintaining a brisk pace, you reach the plain of Mecissi in the afternoon, where camp is set up near a well.

Today’s route leads through the southern valley, framed by mountains. You reach a small village where the horses are watered, as there will be no further water sources for a while along the path ahead. The surrounding mountains grow increasingly high, and the terrain becomes rockier. Nevertheless, the terrain here is still excellent for galloping. The landscape gradually begins to change: acacia trees appear along the path, while small shrubs and esparto grass thrive in the valley. Nomads often graze their livestock in this more fertile area. Overnight stay at the camp.

You continue riding south. Beautiful, colorful gardens and acacia groves flourish along the river; the trees provide welcome shade for a picnic. In the afternoon, you follow rocky paths up into the mountains. Upon reaching the summit, you are rewarded with a unique view. Tonight’s camp is situated amidst a palm grove; those with energy to spare can climb the nearby mountain ridge to enjoy the sunset.

Today, the pace is adjusted to the terrain and is somewhat slower than on previous days. Long stretches of trotting take you to a small café in the middle of nowhere. Upon reaching the Draa Valley, you stop for a midday break. In the afternoon, the route follows narrow goat paths to Zagora. The horses spend the night in a stable just outside the town, while the riders travel by car to the guesthouse for the night.

Today, you have free time in Zagora. Lunch is not included. Overnight stay at the guesthouse.

After a rest day, you hop back into the saddle with renewed energy and ride around Zagora until you reach the palm grove again. If the water level of the Draa River is low, you will cross it at a suitable point. The terrain soon changes, offering plenty of opportunities for brisk canters. You enjoy a hearty picnic in the shade of acacia trees before the afternoon ride to the camp, which is located near some farmhouses.

The early morning sun bathes the surrounding landscape in warm shades of red. You can zigzag through the bushes or jump over them. A break and a picnic await you in the middle of the wilderness. In the afternoon, you follow a small path into the mountains. The camp is situated near the mountains, allowing you to climb up again to watch the sunset.

The landscape is once again characterized by small sand dunes, upon which the wind has “painted” unique patterns. Small clumps of esparto grass grow everywhere, and you frequently pass through acacia groves, where you will stop for lunch in the shade. In the afternoon, you arrive at the oasis of Foum Zguid. Overnight stay at a guesthouse.

Today, you have the day at your leisure in Foum Zguid. Lunch is not included. Overnight stay at the guesthouse again.

Today’s stage begins with a ride through the village of Foum Zguid. It does not take long to reach the vast expanse of the desert. Lunch is a picnic enjoyed along the way. At the oasis of Mghrimima, you can relax at the local camp and wind down for the evening.

You wind your way along small paths across the rocky plain to the salt river. Here, the ground is bathed in white, giving the sensation of riding across snow. Before long, the terrain becomes sandy again, and the distinctive mountain of Tissint rises up on the horizon. At midday, there is a break by a saline reservoir; those who wish can refresh themselves in the water before the ride continues in the afternoon. On the way to today’s camp, you ride through a labyrinth of impressive rock formations to reach the Kasbat oasis.

Leave the camp in the palm grove behind and gallop out once more into the vastness of Morocco. It does not take long to reach the heart of the mountains, where the trails become rocky again. The horses find water at a fresh spring and take a short break. The mountain landscape shifts in color from green to brown and yellow—a true play of colors! You will spend the night in a camp within the village.

Today’s route takes you through a very special area where the military is stationed; consequently, access is restricted to select visitors. The terrain here is very rocky, so the pace is primarily a trot. You will take a break at a well in the middle of the desert. Refreshed, you climb back into the saddle and slowly make your way back toward civilization. The horses spend the night in the Taggant palm grove, while the riders travel by car to a hotel in the town of Tata.

Today, you have free time in Tata. Lunch is not included. Overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning, you drive back to the horses. Today’s landscape is perfect for magnificent gallops. Lunch is served in the shade of some acacia trees. In the afternoon, you continue along the valley, which leads back out into the vast desert plains. You make good speed and soon reach the spring of Oum Elalg, where the tents have been set up beneath acacia trees.

Today you ride across the white sandy plains of Akka, with the town of the same name visible in the distance. The landscape rushes past you as you gallop. Today’s camp is located beyond the mountains, nestled within a beautiful palm grove.

A ​​long day of riding lies ahead, so you set off early. The terrain constantly shifts between sandy and rocky ground. At midday, you enjoy a picnic at a remote well. By late afternoon, you finally reach the village of Foum Elhassan; the camp for the night is located just beyond the village.

The pace is slower today due to the rocky terrain in the mountains. Along the way, you pass a well where nomads often pitch their black tents. In the afternoon, there is finally another opportunity to gallop as the terrain gradually levels out. The camp is set up by a dry riverbed.

The landscape invites you to enjoy magnificent gallops; you soon reach a river valley where the support truck is waiting on the far side with a picnic lunch. The afternoon ride takes you through a secluded valley surrounded by mountains. The river has carved a path through the gorge, allowing you to leave the basin and enter the neighboring valley, where camp is set up for the night.

Today, you cross the river at a suitable point. You begin to notice signs of increasing civilization. You pick up the pace, heading towards Guelmim and the Tighmert palm oasis. A refreshing shower awaits you at the newly renovated Fort Akaba lodge. The horses are stabled near the lodge.

A guided tour of the city of Guelmim. Lunch is not included. Overnight stay at the lodge.

The route leads back into the white plains of Morocco. You stop for a picnic and a short break on the banks of the Assaka River before continuing towards the camp, which is also located by the river.

Today is your final day in the saddle. Once again, you can explore the fascinating landscape from horseback. Gallop through river valleys amidst cacti and over increasingly high hills, tasting the salty Atlantic air. In the afternoon, you ride along the coast for a good two hours, enjoying fabulous gallops on the white sand beach. Camp is set up for the last time in the village of “Plage Blanche.”

You have the morning to relax and swim at the beach. With a bit of luck, you might spot some pink flamingos in the river delta! Then, it is time to bid farewell to the crew and the horses. Travel by car to Agadir via Guelmim, Lhaksass, and Tiznit. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Today is yours to spend as you please. You have the option to go swimming at the beach or stroll through the souks and do some shopping. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Departure

Independent return journey after breakfast. Your guide will be happy to assist you in arranging a taxi to the airport (not included in the tour price).